Is school really a lot of work?

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2007

Why not take a pre-requisite or two to see if you can handle school and home? I had to take 5 years of night classes (60 credits! In addition to the 140 from my prior BS!) for pre-reqs for my BSN program. You could get the course list from a local nursing school and see what their pre-reqs are.

I know a lot of nurses work long into their later years but I wish I'd career changed sooner. Clinical nursing can take a toll on you.

BookwormRN · Jul 19, 2007

Hi Toots,

I was a stay at home mom for almost 10 years when I went back to school. My youngest was 2 y.o. when I took the CNA course-he was six when I graduated with my ADN from the local technical college.

I had transfered prereq credits from my first stint in college-just had to do the CNA course, and the sciences, so I did those prior to the core nursing classes. It worked out well for our family; not to say that it wasn't difficult at times. We all made sacrifices. But I daresay that the proudest people at my pinning ceremony were my children. (also the happiest to see me get across the stage and outta school!!!)

I would suggest taking a CNA course first-see how you like the work environment-also get some practical experience in healthcare.

Good luck on your decision. I know I'll never regret going back to school.

EmmaG, RN · Jul 19, 2007

I was a single mom with a 1 year old and a 5 year old when I started LPN school. I used daycare, afterschool, my parents lol. Worked as an LPN full time while in RN school 3 years later. DAYS without sleep. But I wouldn't have done it differently. I was able to support and raise my kids by myself. My oldest (and even the younger one, to an extent) would help me study. :)

srkastc · Jul 19, 2007

I am in school now and I have a homeschooled 6 yr old. I decided to go back to school this year and was able to transfer in a lot of prior credit. Fortunately, I have been able to take my pre-reqs at night when hubby is home. I have also taken online classes; it's still a balancing act, but it saves so much time!

I have been home with my daughter her entire life and this year she will go to daycare for the first time because my college does not offer nursing lectures at night. Thankfully, I will be leaving her in a loving environment with a wonderful lady I met at church.

I say go for it if you have a good support system. There are so many options for going back to school. You could enroll part-time, take night classes, online classes, or even take the CLEP exams for a few subjects. It's such a small amount of time to sacrifice for your lifelong dream. Most people look back on their lives and regret the things they didn't do - not the things they did do! Good Luck!

Lightning Bug RN · Jul 19, 2007

I waited until my youngest was in school full time before I went back to school for m ASN. I do not regret waiting until this time. If you need the money for your families well being to go to school now for your degree, than as many people here have said it is doable, but if you can wait financialy until your youngest goes to school, I would suggest doing that way, it will be easier on you and the kids.

Nursing school is alot of hard work, with alot of study and paperwork pre-clinical to do. I do not regret my decision to wait until my kids were older, it was difficult enough on them when they had to give me time on the weekends to study when I had a big test that Monday.

One thing I will tell you is to make sure your husband is 100 percent behind you with this, because there will be plenty of times you will be turning to him for help and support.

Good luck with whatever you decide.:wink2:

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Jul 20, 2007

I do sometimes feel like I might have missed out on somethings, I would have missed them anyway working instead of going to school. I wouldn't have had the option of staying at home.

Yes, I would have done it all over again, every second.

StrwbryblndRN · Jul 20, 2007

I started taking pre-reqs when I had a one year old. Got prego with second child when in anatomy I and II. That was the easy part.

I started nursing program for my associcates when my kids were 18m and 3.5. It worked out great for me because our household needed a second income. (I did not work while in school though) I did not miss alot with my kids but at the same time I settled for lower grades than I was used to, because I could not dedicate all my time to school. Unless I wanted poorly nourished/nurtured children. (I am used to A's and got C's/B's in nursing)

If you can quit your job and go to school that could work. But if you wish to keep your current career and go back to school it could put a big time cut into your children's/husband's time. And as a previous post stated you do want your spouse to be behind you all the way. Not just emotional support but also with taking on care of household and kids. It may seem very uneven from his point view too.

Annebug · Jul 20, 2007

Now that I'm done with school and working, it's hard for me to say that I would have waited. In the thick of it--and oh yes, it is so much work--I cried, sulked, etc, and felt horrible that I had chosen such a bad time to become a nurse. There were also times when it felt quite manageable. I did't have support other than from my husband and my daughter's preschool.

That said, the experience will be different or each person.

Best of luck to you with your decision and experience!

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Jul 20, 2007

I am in school now with young kids, but I really have no choice. I don't think it's so bad.

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 20, 2007

I agree with some of the above posters...if you could afford to stay at home but still take one or two pre-reqs here or there...that would keep you busy and moving in the right direction until your kids are in school. I often think I should've waited until my kids are in school but I probably wouldn't change it because when they are all in school I will be starting my first job and I will be glad school is over for me!

angelwingsamy · Jul 20, 2007

I see a couple people on here giving you the advice to wait until your kids are in school. I disagree... why wait? There is no need in putting it off. If you are motivated now then do it now.

I was a stay at home mom. I have two daughters ages 7 and 9. I started when my youngest was a baby and they never missed me. I took online classes at first to fill my pre-reqs so I was able to take time out for my class when my kids were napping, or playing with daddy, or just whenever. When I did need to eventually attend classes on campus it was just minutes from my house so a long commute didnt take me away from my kids. And I only took one class at a time on campus so I was only gone for a few hours a day a couple days a week. (at first school is not a full time job if you dont want it to be)

yes now that I am in my nursing classes I am busy, but my kids are also in school during the day (and my hubby is working). I have the daytime to do the schooling and at night I have my family. My kids are happy and they have everything they need. They are proud of me and they tell me that. It is also a good way to get them to take school seriously!

Good luck to you! I hope you make the right choice :)